Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by wormraper

the point many people are missing is that the series holds a cult following like almost NO OTHER film can hold a candle too. there have documentaries, books, cons etc DEDICATED to just this cult following. We're not talking about even something like Lawrence of Arabia, or Blade Runner. all are GREAT films but the fanbase is nowhere near as rabid, immense and worldwide to such a degree. the Star Wars universe is an unparalleled PHENOMENON in the world of film. to simply say "I doubt enough people would buy it to make it even worth the effort" really raises an eyebrow when other less popular titles get remastered and re-released all the time

I agree, as I'm a huge SW fans...but Star Trek?

[kidglov3s]

Originally Posted by wormraper

the point many people are missing is that the series holds a cult following like almost NO OTHER film can hold a candle too. there have documentaries, books, cons etc DEDICATED to just this cult following. We're not talking about even something like Lawrence of Arabia, or Blade Runner. all are GREAT films but the fanbase is nowhere near as rabid, immense and worldwide to such a degree. the Star Wars universe is an unparalleled PHENOMENON in the world of film. to simply say "I doubt enough people would buy it to make it even worth the effort" really raises an eyebrow when other less popular titles get remastered and re-released all the time

No, a Blu-ray release of the theatrical versions of the Star Wars movies is totally gonna have everyone losing their shirts, lol. Even at 3000 copies they're destined to be filling landfills in New Mexico because no one wants it due to loving the SE and prequels too much.

[vidjunkie]

Originally Posted by wormraper

the point many people are missing is that the series holds a cult following like almost NO OTHER film can hold a candle too. there have documentaries, books, cons etc DEDICATED to just this cult following. We're not talking about even something like Lawrence of Arabia, or Blade Runner. all are GREAT films but the fanbase is nowhere near as rabid, immense and worldwide to such a degree. the Star Wars universe is an unparalleled PHENOMENON in the world of film. to simply say "I doubt enough people would buy it to make it even worth the effort" really raises an eyebrow when other less popular titles get remastered and re-released all the time

And I agree with you here for the most part, but I honestly do not believe for what it would cost to do these would really provide them much profit, like I said I am old school SW fan myself, we just finished our own SW 77 and ANH 97 SE project, but I myself honestly do not see this happening, I do not see them getting the profit they would want to get, but I would love to be proven wrong someday

[The Fallen Deity]

I think some of you fail to realise that Star Wars is one of the most successful film franchises of all time.

Theatrical Cuts, Special Editions, it doesn't matter 'cause they'll all sell in the bucket load especially with the hype building up from the new trilogy.

Just give people the option that's all.

If films like Blade Runner & Close Encounters Of The Third can been released with all cuts present and in high quality why not Star Wars which will arguably make more money than both of those films combined.

[stvn1974]

The only thing that I can think of that has a bigger fan base than Star Wars is The Beatles. People bought the original vinyl, then the 1987 CDs, the Anthology sets and then the 2009 CD remasters (both mono and stereo) and then the stereo set again on vinyl. Then they released practically the same remasters but in different packaging with the US Albums box set and people bought them again. Same goes with Star Wars. The OOT would sell to people who already have the current BD set and to the holdouts. If Fox/Disney were to re-release the same set that is out now with just an extra disc of video of the crew brushing foot prints out of the sand so they could do another take it would sell like hotcakes.

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by vidjunkie

And I agree with you here for the most part, but I honestly do not believe for what it would cost to do these would really provide them much profit, like I said I am old school SW fan myself, we just finished our own SW 77 and ANH 97 SE project, but I myself honestly do not see this happening, I do not see them getting the profit they would want to get, but I would love to be proven wrong someday

unfortunately we don't have access to the financials to see what it would cost for a restoration. so all I can say right now is

but in all honesty we have an INFINITELY higher chance now that Disney's on board. the reason for the UOT being mothballed and given a CRAP treatment on DVD is not because it was too expensive, but because Lucas is HONESTLY embarrassed of the original cuts. in his mind they were always "incomplete rough cuts"

[The Fallen Deity]

Originally Posted by stvn1974

The only thing that I can think of that has a bigger fan base than Star Wars is The Beatles. People bought the original vinyl, then the 1987 CDs, the Anthology sets and then the 2009 CD remasters (both mono and stereo) and then the stereo set again on vinyl. Then they released practically the same remasters but in different packaging with the US Albums box set and people bought them again. Same goes with Star Wars. The OOT would sell to people who already have the current BD set and to the holdouts. If Fox/Disney were to re-release the same set that is out now with just an extra disc of video of the crew brushing foot prints out of the sand so they could do another take it would sell like hotcakes.

Pretty much this.

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by The Fallen Deity

I think some of you fail to realise that Star Wars is one of the most successful film franchises of all time.

Theatrical Cuts, Special Editions, it doesn't matter 'cause they'll all sell in the bucket load especially with the hype building up from the new trilogy.

Just give people the option that's all.

If films like Blade Runner & Close Encounters Of The Third can been released with all cuts present and in high quality why not Star Wars which will arguably make more money than both of those films combined.

Easy to say when you're not picking up the bill.
Much like Lucas bashing, this debate can go round-n-round, but at the end of the day it's Disney's call. If they think it would be worthwhile, of course, they would make it happen. Companies like Disney spend a lot of money on consumer research, so I think they have a better handle on the feasibility then message boards posters like all of us.

[kemcha]

I don't think this issue will ever be settled. Even if Disney wanted to go through with releasing the original versions, I just don't think they will unless consumers will buy into it. Considering that it's still a long ways away and that Disney can;t do anything about that until 2020, at the earliest, it's all moot anyway. Many fans will have purchased the Star Wars Blu-rays and that eventually we'll see individual Blu-ray releases of all six movies released by Fox long before 2020 gets here.

I believe Fox will end up releasing individual releases of all six films and that they'll be heavily saturated in the market before distribution rights for the fix films revert to Disney. Even retailers will have sufficient quantities of the Star Wars films on Blu-ray and those supplies won't likely evaporate until 2021 or 2022.

Then there's the question about George Lucas' relationship with Disney and just how much influence he has the the House of Mouse. I think that Disney will probably take Lucas' advice and most likely won't release different versions of the trilogy, aside from the Special Editions. Far as Fox goes, I think the best thing that Disney could do is enter into a joint distribution agreement with Fox whereas Fox licenses out A New Hope to Disney and that Fox retains joint-distribution with Disney regarding the first six films, allowing for a cross-company distribution pact on the first six films. But, I don't see Fox giving up the rights on the first film.

But, I doubt this whole Special Edition/George Lucas bashing is going to end anytime soon. For me, my parents took me and my brother to see the first Star Wars film in the theaters when it was originally released back in the summer of 1977. I've enjoyed the original theatrical editions, I've enjoyed the remastered THX editions and I've even enjoyed the Special Editions. Personally, I never really understood just how so many fanatics are so gung-ho about these theatrical editions. It's like something poisoned the water. I supposed nobody has really explained why they feel so gung-ho about the original releases. I simply found the new additional footage as a bonus treat to these films that I spent my entire childhood watching and appreciating.

No matter what it is, even if a new Star Wars movie being produced by a movie director I totally despise, I'll still love the Star Wars Trilogy, the Star Wars Prequel trilogy and the Star Wars: Lens Flare trilogy. HEY! It's Star Wars, what;s there to not like. lols

[stvn1974]

I have no problems with changing the films. My favorite film of all time is Ridley Scott's Final Cut of Blade Runner. The difference between the changes in Blade Runner and Star Wars is that the changes in Blade Runner don't suck. The Han/ Greedo scene still looks stupid after three tries. The Jabba from ANH could be made to look better by a five year old with a box of crayons. This is all my opinion of course and I am probably in the minority anyway.

[wormraper]

people aren't pissed that he made "directors cuts". people are pissed because he's repeatedly shoved the theatrical away as if they're garbage. most directors are sane enough to recognize that there are different people who prefer different cuts and don't alienate the audience. Lucas did that by telling everyone a different story every time.... 1st no one wanted them, 2nd he didn't like the original cuts, now they' "don't exist" (even though MULTIPLE places offered up the original negative prints to work with and he refused.) It's become a legend BECAUSE of Lucas' constant efforts to suppress them.

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by kemcha

I don't think this issue will ever be settled. Even if Disney wanted to go through with releasing the original versions, I just don't think they will unless consumers will buy into it. Considering that it's still a long ways away and that Disney can;t do anything about that until 2020, at the earliest, it's all moot anyway. Many fans will have purchased the Star Wars Blu-rays and that eventually we'll see individual Blu-ray releases of all six movies released by Fox long before 2020 gets here.

I believe Fox will end up releasing individual releases of all six films and that they'll be heavily saturated in the market before distribution rights for the fix films revert to Disney. Even retailers will have sufficient quantities of the Star Wars films on Blu-ray and those supplies won't likely evaporate until 2021 or 2022.

Then there's the question about George Lucas' relationship with Disney and just how much influence he has the the House of Mouse. I think that Disney will probably take Lucas' advice and most likely won't release different versions of the trilogy, aside from the Special Editions. Far as Fox goes, I think the best thing that Disney could do is enter into a joint distribution agreement with Fox whereas Fox licenses out A New Hope to Disney and that Fox retains joint-distribution with Disney regarding the first six films, allowing for a cross-company distribution pact on the first six films. But, I don't see Fox giving up the rights on the first film.

But, I doubt this whole Special Edition/George Lucas bashing is going to end anytime soon. For me, my parents took me and my brother to see the first Star Wars film in the theaters when it was originally released back in the summer of 1977. I've enjoyed the original theatrical editions, I've enjoyed the remastered THX editions and I've even enjoyed the Special Editions. Personally, I never really understood just how so many fanatics are so gung-ho about these theatrical editions. It's like something poisoned the water. I supposed nobody has really explained why they feel so gung-ho about the original releases. I simply found the new additional footage as a bonus treat to these films that I spent my entire childhood watching and appreciating.

No matter what it is, even if a new Star Wars movie being produced by a movie director I totally despise, I'll still love the Star Wars Trilogy, the Star Wars Prequel trilogy and the Star Wars: Lens Flare trilogy. HEY! It's Star Wars, what;s there to not like. lols

This is a good post.

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by kemcha

I don't think this issue will ever be settled. Even if Disney wanted to go through with releasing the original versions, I just don't think they will unless consumers will buy into it. Considering that it's still a long ways away and that Disney can;t do anything about that until 2020, at the earliest, it's all moot anyway. Many fans will have purchased the Star Wars Blu-rays and that eventually we'll see individual Blu-ray releases of all six movies released by Fox long before 2020 gets here.

I believe Fox will end up releasing individual releases of all six films and that they'll be heavily saturated in the market before distribution rights for the fix films revert to Disney. Even retailers will have sufficient quantities of the Star Wars films on Blu-ray and those supplies won't likely evaporate until 2021 or 2022.

Then there's the question about George Lucas' relationship with Disney and just how much influence he has the the House of Mouse. I think that Disney will probably take Lucas' advice and most likely won't release different versions of the trilogy, aside from the Special Editions. Far as Fox goes, I think the best thing that Disney could do is enter into a joint distribution agreement with Fox whereas Fox licenses out A New Hope to Disney and that Fox retains joint-distribution with Disney regarding the first six films, allowing for a cross-company distribution pact on the first six films. But, I don't see Fox giving up the rights on the first film.

But, I doubt this whole Special Edition/George Lucas bashing is going to end anytime soon. For me, my parents took me and my brother to see the first Star Wars film in the theaters when it was originally released back in the summer of 1977. I've enjoyed the original theatrical editions, I've enjoyed the remastered THX editions and I've even enjoyed the Special Editions. Personally, I never really understood just how so many fanatics are so gung-ho about these theatrical editions. It's like something poisoned the water. I supposed nobody has really explained why they feel so gung-ho about the original releases. I simply found the new additional footage as a bonus treat to these films that I spent my entire childhood watching and appreciating.

No matter what it is, even if a new Star Wars movie being produced by a movie director I totally despise, I'll still love the Star Wars Trilogy, the Star Wars Prequel trilogy and the Star Wars: Lens Flare trilogy. HEY! It's Star Wars, what;s there to not like. lols

cuz we all know that the Star wars sets didn't sell at all on DVD, you know with no less than FOUR different releases of the same sets basically???

[The Fallen Deity]

Originally Posted by wormraper

people aren't pissed that he made "directors cuts". people are pissed because he's repeatedly shoved the theatrical away as if they're garbage. most directors are sane enough to recognize that there are different people who prefer different cuts and don't alienate the audience. Lucas did that by telling everyone a different story every time.... 1st no one wanted them, 2nd he didn't like the original cuts, now they' "don't exist" (even though MULTIPLE places offered up the original negative prints to work with and he refused.) It's become a legend BECAUSE of Lucas' constant efforts to suppress them.

Exactly he's free to do what he wants with the films, they're his babies after all but the Special Editions aren't the versions that won all that critical acclaim and all those awards back in the day.

If anything the Theatrical Cuts should be preserved purely for their cultural influence and significance.

The Special Editions aren't the same films, they're totally different beasts.

I enjoy them for what they are and I wouldn't part with them but the Theatrical Cuts need some tlc and shouldn't be left in a vault somewhere to rot.

[kemcha]

Thanks for the thanks. I'm actually guilty of what wormraper said. How many of us are guilty of buying each new Star Wars trilogy and special edition trilogy release and release in multiple VHS versions and DVD versions. It's hilarious because I hadn't thought of it until now.

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

This is a good post.

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by kemcha

Thanks for the thanks. I'm actually guilty of what wormraper said. How many of us are guilty of buying each new Star Wars trilogy and special edition trilogy release and release in multiple VHS versions and DVD versions. It's hilarious because I hadn't thought of it until now.

I still have two of my VHS sets...and I haven't had a VCR for several years!

[Bogey]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

I still have two of my VHS sets...and I haven't had a VCR for several years!

A friend of mine has one of his as well. Every now and then we get it out and talk about the days when this was THE set while we look at it like a lost artifact of Atlantis. Kind of cool you still have yours.

[Bogey]

Originally Posted by The Fallen Deity

.

I enjoy them for what they are and I wouldn't part with them but the Theatrical Cuts need some tlc and shouldn't be left in a vault somewhere to rot.

That would be a shame.

[thebard]

Originally Posted by kidglov3s

No, a Blu-ray release of the theatrical versions of the Star Wars movies is totally gonna have everyone losing their shirts, lol. Even at 3000 copies they're destined to be filling landfills in New Mexico because no one wants it due to loving the SE and prequels too much.

[kemcha]

I think you hit the nail on the head, about the original masters of the film and I seem to recall the main reason Lucas went back to restore the audio as well as the footage themselves. The story was that back when Lucas was considering going back to restore the audio with THX, that Lucasfilm discovered that the original masters had started to degrade, considering that actual celluloid film has a shelf life of about 20 years. Back then, there was talk about possibly restoring some of the original deleted scenes, such as the restoring the meeting between Han Solo and Jabba the Hutt, before he takes off from Tatooine and the scene between Luke, Biggs and Wormie.

Somewhere along the line, Lucas decided why stop with just the original scenes and ended up filming new footage for each of the films, including digitizing Yoda, upgrading the special effects shots and improving the audio. While most of the new footage wasn't overly contested, it was when Lucas started messing around with the "Han Shot First" scene and decided to child-proof that particular scene. The reason that Lucas gave was that he didn't want Han to shoot first and set off all the rabid Star Wars fans who started taking apart every single change that Lucas made to each of the films in the original trilogy. All of a sudden, nobody was happy with anything that Lucas did.

Then, a strange thing happened, the hypocracy of Star Wars fans ended there, just the three Star Wars films. What happened next? E.T. When Spielberg took the weapons out of the hands of the Federal agents and replaced them with billyclubs. Where was that same hypocracy? There was some for a short while, but nothing nowhere near the level that rose to Star Wars.

I actually found it quite humorous. And while I can understand some Star Wars fans being upset over the Special Edition films, nobody takes into account one thing, in the end, these films belong to George Lucas. He created them, he gave us a wonderful universe to enjoy long after he's gone and if he wants to expand them, he's welcome to it. We have the original theatrical editions on DVD, we have the Special Edition films on Blu-ray and everybody is happy.

At least, until they remake the Star Wars films and turn it into a syfy-comedy romp complete with Jim Carey as C-3PO, a toaster oven as R2D2, Robin Williams as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jerry Seinfeld as Grand Moff Tarkin, Jennifer Lawrence as Princess Leia and Nathon Fillion as Han Solo.